PDMS-Encapsulated MXene@Polyester Fabric Strain Sensor for Multifunctional Sensing Applications

Abstract

Flexible strain sensors based on 2D materials have been proven effective for wearable health monitoring devices, human motion detection, and fitness applications. These sensors are flexible, light, and user-friendly, but their sensitivity and detection range need to be enhanced. Among many 2D materials, MXene attracts much interest due to its remarkable properties, such as high electrical conductivity, excellent mechanical properties, flexibility, and good hydrophilicity. However, it is a challenge to fabricate strain sensors with extreme sensitivity and a wide sensing range. In this work, a multifunctional, cost-effective, and highly sensitive PDMS-encapsulated MXene@polyester fabric strain sensor was fabricated. Firstly, complete adsorption of MXene within the fabric formed conductive networks, and then PDMS was used to endow superhydrophobicity and corrosion resistance. The strain sensor demonstrated multifunctional applications and outstanding performance, such as long-term stability (over 500 cycles) and a wide sensing range (8%). The proposed sensor has promising potential for wearable electronic devices such as health monitoring systems and physiological sensing applications.

Review of MXene Nanosheet Composites for Flexible Pressure Sensors

“…115,116 Flexible pressure sensors made of MXenes and fabric composites can withstand complex deformations, such as bending, tension, and torsion. 117,118 As a low-cost and easy-to-obtain textile, cotton fabric is the preferred material for most flexible sensor-s. 119,120 Table 8 shows the effects of different composite methods and fabric types of MXene/fabric on the sensing performance.…”

“…For intelligent wearable devices, there is a high requirement for the flexibility and tensile properties of the sensor when the amplitude of human action is relatively large. , Flexible pressure sensors made of MXenes and fabric composites can withstand complex deformations, such as bending, tension, and torsion. , As a low-cost and easy-to-obtain textile, cotton fabric is the preferred material for most flexible sensors. , Table shows the effects of different composite methods and fabric types of MXene/fabric on the sensing performance.…”

Multifunctional Hydrophobic MXene-Coated Cotton Fabrics for Electro/Photothermal Conversion, Electromagnetic Interference Shielding, and Pressure Sensing

“…With the emergence and development of the new generation of intelligent, portable, and wearable technologies, the demand for wearable electronic devices represented by fabrics has become increasingly prominent. − By giving fabrics’ conductive functions to achieve intelligent signal transmission of the material, it has garnered widespread attention among technology professionals. This conductive fabric maintains flexibility and can often be used for electromagnetic shielding (EMI), , joule heating, and sensing technology. − To impart conductive properties to fabrics, filling or coating the fiber with functional materials is the frequently chosen research protocol. , The available materials include metal nanoparticles, carbon nanoparticles, and intrinsically conductive polymers . For filled conductive fibers, the large number of loaded nanoparticles imparts conductive properties to the fiber, which will lead to a loss of the mechanical strength and flexibility of the material to varying degrees .…”

Fatigue Behavior of Polymer Encapsulated Graphene to Mitigate Interfacial Fatigue Damage

“…[ 33 ] Moreover, PDMS‐encapsulated MXene/polyester fabric strain sensors have shown long‐term stability (over 500 cycles) and wide sensing range (8%). [ 34 ] Recently, lead halide perovskite such as CsPbBr 3 nanocrystals were encapsulated into PDMS for achieving long‐term air and water stability. [ 35 ] Due to the excellent resilience of PDMS to water, acid, and ice accumulation, PDMS has been used to encapsulate monocrystalline flexible silicon solar cells.…”